FWD: Natural Resources and Environment ministry to tackle issues head-on

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This article is from The Star Online

URL:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2004/5/6/nation/7920156 & sec=nation

 

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Thursday May 6, 2004

Natural Resources and Environment ministry to tackle issues head-on

 

 

KUALA LUMPUR: The management of the Malaysian marine environment is an area

which the newly created Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment intends to

tackle head-on.

 

Speaking at an international workshop on the administration of marine

environments, Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister S. Sothinathan

said that the ministry found implementing marine based policies challenging.

 

& #147;The marine environment is still not considered to be a priority for

countries in the region.

 

& #147;Like many other countries in the Asia Pacific region, we have very good

land mapping systems and management procedures but when it comes to the seas, we

require expert knowledge and experience.

 

& #147;In Malaysia, we must ensure we map and protect some 574,000 sq km of

marine areas whereas the 329,000 sq km of land area is managed very well, & #148;

Sothinathan told reporters at a press conference.

 

The main aim of the workshop was to develop strategies, which would allow for a

universal and effective method of mapping the spatial dimensions of marine

areas.

 

Prof Ian Williamson from the University of Melbourne said policies regarding

marine conservation must not be viewed separately from land.

 

& #147;The marine environment is affected by what occurs on land as in many

cases 75% of pollution occurs on dry ground.

 

& #147;The mapping of marine environments and the definition of coastal

boundaries in relation to land will help in the development of suitable policies

to protect as well as to take advantage of these areas.

 

& #147;Our main area of concern is the coastal zones, where activities such as

tourism, aquaculture, marine transportation, and fishing have a profound effect

on marine environments, & #148; said Prof Williamson, who is chairperson for the

Working Group III Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the

Pacific.

 

Organised by the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia and University of

Melbourne at the Renaissance Hotel, the workshop ends May 7.

 

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